Rose plant

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant primarily identified by its vigorous growth habit and the abundance of rose pink buds and flowers.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy,dwarf, bush type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety beingprimarily characterized--as to novelty--by the rose pink buds andflowers which generally are of exhibition (Hybrid Tea) form.

The variety is further characterized by:

An abundance of bloom, with flowers usually borne singly, but alsoseveral to the stem in loose clusters.

Little or no fragrance.

A plant which is vigorous, of rounded, upright shape with smallsemi-glossy to matte foliage with pointed leaflets; the buds and flowersbeing similar in form to Mary Marshall (miniature--U.S. Plant Pat. No.3,346) but of somewhat larger size.

The plant, which has a normal height of 14 inches or more, can easily bemaintained at lesser height by occasional trimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily both in greenhouse andoutdoors; is good for growing in pots; and provides excellent gardendecoration as well as cut flowers.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at SequoiaNursery located at Visalia, Calif., under conditions of careful controland observation, as a cross between Baccara (U.S. Plant Pat. No.1,367--expired) as the seed parent and Little Chief (miniature--notpatented) as the pollen parent.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully asexuallyreproduced it at Sequoia Nursery, located as aforesaid, by budding aswell as by cuttings; the reproductions having run true in all respects.

The color photograph illustrates the variety, including the foliage,buds and flowers.

Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof in outline;all major color plate identifications being by reference to The BritishColour Council Horticultural Colour Chart, except where common terms ofcolor definition are employed.

Type: Hardy; dwarf; bushy; rounded; seedling; greenhouse; outdoors; cutflowers; garden decoration; potted plant.

Class: Miniature.

Variety identification.--MORcara (Commercial synonym: Antique Rose).

Flowers borne: Singly and several together (3 to 5) on slender wireystems.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant both outside and in greenhouse.

Bud:

Peduncle.--Medium length; slender but sturdy; erect; medium to lightgreen, sometimes tinted bronze (outdoors); with no prickles and nohairs.

Before calyx breaks.--Size small. Form long; pointed with severalfoliaceous appendages and few or no hairs on surface of bud; withfoliaceous parts extending beyond the tip of the bud equal to one-halfor less of its length.

Color.--Medium green, occasionally tinted with bronze (outdoors).

As calyx breaks.--Color -- pink to red.

Opening.--Opens well in all weather.

Bloom:

Size when fully open.--Small, averaging about 40-45 mm (11/2-13/4").

Petalage.--Double -- averaging about 35-45 petals, arranged regularlyplus several small petaloids.

Form.--High centered at first becoming more open at maturity with petalsrolled loosely outward and downward. Open flowers may show stamens.

Petals: Fairly thick; satiny on inside and on outside surface.

Shape.--Outside petals, broad lanceolate (nearly round); intermediate --broad lanceolate with short acute tip; inside -- lanceolate to broadlanceolate with acute tip.

Color: Newly opened flower from a plant grown outdoors (September 1981),Visalia, Calif.

Outside petal.--Outside surface -- near Rose Bengal 25/2 with smalllight greenish area at base. Inside surface -- near Rose Bengal 25/2(sometimes lighter) with small whitish to yellowish area at base.

Intermediate petal.--Outside surface -- near Rose Bengal 25/1 with smalllight area at base. Inside surface -- near Rose Bengal 25/2 with darkerborder (petal edges) similar to color of reverse side.

Inner petal.--Outsie surface -- same as intermediate petal. Insidesurface -- same as intermediate petal.

General color effect.--Buds and newly opened flowers -- rose pink; withoutside surfaces appearing darker color then inside surfaces.

Three days open.--Color: similar to freshly opened flower.

Behavior.--Opens well in all weather. Spent petals drop off.

Flower longevity (July-August 1981).--Plant in pot 6-8 days or longer.Cut flowers at living room temperature 3-5 days or longer.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Arranged regularly about pistils.

Filaments.--Varying length, medium long, reddish.

Anthers.--Well formed; yellow.

Pollen.--Little or none.

Pistils.--Average number.

Styles.--Varying length; reddish; bunched.

Ovaries.--All enclosed in calyx.

Stigmas.--Pinkish.

Hips.--None.

Sepals.--Permanent; spear shaped; recurved.

Seed.--None.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Compound of five (sometimes three or seven) leaflets; mediumsmall; leathery; semi-glossy to matte.

Leaflets.--Shape: broad, lanceolate; apex acute; base acute, sometimesrounded. Color: medium green; new growth -- normal (medium) green.Rachis: Medium strength; upper side may have several tiny short pricklesor hairs; grooved; underside usually without thorns or hairs.

Stipules.--Long to medium length; medium width; medium length narrowpoints which turn out usually at about 45 degrees or more.

Growth:

Habit.--Dwarf; bushy; rounded; much branched.

Growth.--Free vigorous; internodes short.

Canes.--Medium; slender; sturdy.

Main stems.--Color: medium green.

Thorns.--Moderately thorny -- long oval base, points hooked (curved)downward; color -- brown.

Branches.--Color: medium green.

Thorns.--Moderately thorny, slender, greenish.

Prickles.--None.

Hairs.--None.

The miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary inslight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under whichthe variety may be grown; the present description being of the varietyas grown at Visalia, Calif.

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant of hardy, dwarf, bushy, rounded, much branched habit,substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by buds andflowers of exhibition form, essentially pink to rose pink in color andresembling Mary Marshall (miniature--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,346) in budand flower form but being somewhat larger in size; and furthercharacterized by a plant of compact well rounded shape with aboveaverage vigor, the said plant being easy to propagate from cuttings orby budding, with an abundance of small semi-glossy to matte foliage andan abundance of flowers borne singly or several to the stem in looseclusters.